Technology in sports is nothing new as these two have always been hand-in-hand in terms of keeping sports relevant in this modern age. We’ve seen technology in all sorts of sports, too even in the early days.
In fact, in the late 1800s, when horse racing was prominent, we saw photo finish, which is taking a photo of the exact moment horses crossed the finish line. This helped races end with accurate results.
Even when it comes to gears, technologies are also used to improve player comfort and protection. In hockey, masks significantly changed in the 1950s and 60s. Before then, masks were mostly made of fiberglass, but today, there are different types like Kevlar and carbon fiber, which are more lightweight.
The bottom line is that technology is strongly present in the sports industry. If you want to know more ways tech is impacting sports, keep reading.
Use of Wearable Technologies
Wearable technology and performance analytics are identified as a top trend in sports right now. However, this isn’t just a simple pedometer or heart rate monitor. Modern wearable tech can do so much more that sports teams take them more seriously.
In basketball, athlete monitoring systems have seen significant adoption. Catapult Vector, for instance, brings a new standard to athlete monitoring with detailed insights into basketball-specific movements, workload, and intensity.
Cricket is using wearable technology for performance enhancement and injury prevention. Devices are used to monitor heart rate, movement patterns, and workload, aiding coaches in managing fitness levels and customizing training sessions. Tools like StanceBeam Striker are an example of this. It’s a bat sensor that tracks swing speed and shot efficiency, and this could help make it easier to pinpoint areas of opportunity that can be tackled during training.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
There’s no denying that AI is here to stay, and while its use can be questioned in different aspects, the sports industry is already finding uses for it. Here are some ways that AI is used in sports:
Fan Engagement
AI can help improve fan experience through personalized content, chatbots, and virtual assistants. An example of this is how ESPN uses AI to deliver personalized content and real-time updates to fans. They use generative AI to create summaries and game recaps for various sports like cricket and football.
There are also sportsbooks and sports prediction platforms that use AI, like SportsAI and ZCode. ZCode is particularly nice for those looking for both AI and expert analysis. But for those using platforms like SportsAI, it’s always wise to check sites like TheTopBookies as well to see what real experts have to say.
Broadcasting and Media: AI improves sports broadcasting by automating highlights, generating real-time statistics, and providing personalized viewing experiences. Then, there’s also the use of AI-driven cameras to capture and analyze game footage more efficiently.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): AI-powered VR and AR applications are used for training and fan engagement. Athletes can practice in virtual environments while fans can enjoy immersive experiences and interactive features during games. An example of this is STRIVR, which covers both VR and AR to help athletes train without much physical strain.
Performance Analysis and Gameplay
We mentioned the use of wearables to track player performance. Now, what do they do with the data they gathered? Aside from experts analyzing them, many are also using algorithms and AI for efficiency. After all, it won’t be easy to process and digest the numerous data gathered from different sources (usually wearables in this case).
The results they then get from algorithms can be used in how they strategize, identify possible injuries, and treat injuries or rehabilitation. Some would also use the data they gathered to discover new talents (scouting) and determine which players they should sign to improve their team performance.
Data is wealth, even in the sports industry. This mostly started during the Moneyball era (early 2000s) when a book of the same title talked about how the Oakland Athletics used data analytics to build a competitive baseball team on a limited budget.
Optimizing Venue and Event Operations
The use of technology in sports is not just about player and team performance. Even venues are using different technologies in innovative ways. Smart Stadiums like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, UK, are equipped with advanced tools like retractable pitch, high-definition screens, and even a mobile app to help improve the fan and viewing experience.
Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, US, is also a smart stadium. They have high-speed Wi-Fi that attendees can use and a mobile app for ticketing and even concessions. They also use data analytics and AI to monitor crown movement and optimize their operations.
Closing Thoughts
There are different ways that technology is being used to continuously improve sports. Some ways, like wearables, are obvious, but some are not. Many would probably agree that the use of AR and VR in training or AI in fan engagement may not easily be noticeable.
Technology is involved in the sports we enjoy than we initially thought. It will be the case, and it’s just interesting to see what other technological advancements can help bring sports to the next level.